CULTURE CHANEL: THE NATIONAL ART MUSEUM OF CHINA – 10 Magazine

Origin- Lily Donaldson model’s a creation from the Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel A/W  2006 Haute Couture Collection.  

Abstraction- A 1924 Sales catalogue of Chanel perfumes. 

Invisibility- Costumes by Salvador Dali for his Ballet ìBacchanaleì, made by Gabrielle Chanel. 

Liberty- Steven Meisel captures Elise Crombez in an outfit from S/S 2003 Ready-to-wear.

Imaginary- George Hoyningen-Huene’s 1939 portrait of Mademoiselle Chanel. 

Though we’re rather A.D.D ourselves, if you’re the sort to pay special attention to the blog, you’ll understand we’re a fairly international bunch. Call us fat blow tarts, but tasting other cultures is an essential aspect of experiencing fashion. Which is why the teams been torn in half this week, with contingents in both N.Y and China. The latter is all thanks to the lovelies at Chanel who gave Mr Miles an excuse to hot foot it onto a 10 hour flight to Beijing for the opening of their new exhibit ‘Culture Chanel’ at The National Art Museum Of China.Curated by Jean-Louis Froment the exhibit explores Mademoiselle’s rise to become the fashion powerhouse/cultural icon we remember to this day. A kind of biography in exhibit form, the story of Chanel is separated into 5 chapters: Origin, Abstraction, Invisibility, Liberty, and Imaginary, leaving a lasting sense of Gabrielle’s legacy, and her brands continued success at the reigns of Lagerfeld.The culture of China has actually always been a part of the Houses DNA. This is due to the inspiration Mademoiselle drew from an imagined concept of a far flung land. Beginning her love affair with Chinese culture, after acquiring a set of lacquered screens in a Parisian antique store. How amazing then, that the Universe which sprung (in part) from this, should now be presented to an audience that once seemed a world away. Magical you might say. Comprising of more than 400 works-including paintings, drawings, photographs, films, sculpture, garments and of course a decent dose of frag. The show offers the most comprehensive insight into the famous House to date. Will leave you (like Antony often says) hoping to be re-incarnated as a pair of those famous interlocking C’s. AH-MAZING! From November 5th to December 13th 2011. 

www.culture.chanel.com

by Vincent Levy